BlackBerry, Google push mobile security for Android devices

BlackBerry Limited and Google say they are working on a solution to manage security on devices equipped with Android for Work.

Android for Work is Google’s solution to securely separate business and personal data and applications for mobile users.

“Backed by BES12, Android for Work creates a secure, dedicated profile for business data and applications. The BES12 solution will seamlessly integrate with the Android OS to enable platform-level containerization. This will eliminate the need for application wrapping, while providing unhindered access to Google Now and any Android application available on Google Play that is permitted by an organization’s IT policies”, the companies announced.

BES12 will provide organizations with secure and flexible way to manage Android for Work.

Android for Work smartphones and tablets will be natively managed within the BES12 environment, which streamlines management of all device platforms and deployment models, such as BYOD and COBO, in a single command and control centre, they said.

The companies said that Android for Work will be deployable with BES12 either on-premise or in the cloud, and will be supported by BlackBerry’s mobile security, scalable architecture and trusted network infrastructure.

“BlackBerry is working with Google to provide customers with solutions they can confidently deploy on all major mobile platforms within their organization,” Billy Ho, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Products and Value Added Solutions, Blackberry said. “Android for Work with BES12 will provide customers with another option to enhance their mobile security and the productivity of their employees, and the peace of mind that they will not have to relinquish any control over corporate data, sacrifice user experience or introduce more complexity into their environments.”